I listened in on Games Workshop’s live Q&A on the new edition of Warhammer 40K. Here are my notes, in case you’re interested.

Rule Changes

Rules from the Warhammer Community Preview Article are still in.

Armour Values for Vehicles are gone. Vehicles use a stat line like other models.

Vehicles will become less effective and “lose” abilities/stats similar to how big monsters in Warhammer Age of Sigmar become less effective as they take wounds.

Each vehicle will be affected differently and in a unique manner.

Monsters will work very similar to vehicles (and vice versa).

The new Edition still uses D6.

An average game of, say, around (currently) 1500 points will last about 90 minutes on average (about half of what it takes now).

New version is designed with 3-ways-to-play in mind with strong support for narrative play planned.

There will be two sets of point values for units/models.

One called „power level“ for narrative play. Very „rough“, not taking into account individual equipment, etc.., but allowing „rough“ balance.

For „Matched Play“, point values go into all the granular details of individual weapons, etc.

Key words are used to define abilities (i.e. a Space Marine Captain may buff units with the „Adeptus Astartes“ keyword, but not, say, Imperial Guard).

Command Points & Army Organisation

Command Points are a new mechanism to make the game more tactical and better reflect army selection (narrative & matched play).

Narrative and matched play requires armies to be “battleforged” (organised long detachment rules).

Compliance with detachment rules will give an army command points.

Lots of detachments/force organisations will be available.

One command point per phase.

Command points can be used, for example, to re-roll dice, interrupt actions of an opponent during an opponent’s turn, etc.

“Generic” Command points will be in the general rules and army specific command points will be featured in future Codexes to reflect the flavor of different armies Codexes as a product will still exist (including command point rules).

Rules & Codexes

On launch there will be 5 books: Space Marines, Forces of the Imperium, Xenos, ??, ?? to cover all armies at launch (cheaper than Codexes). These include points.

Expansions such as Planetstrike and Cities of Death will reappear eventually (as well as new narrative supplements).

free core rules will be available digitally. GW stores and stockists will have a limited supply of printed free rules.

A Warhammer 40K app with army builder is being worked on, but will not be available on launch.

No currently existing factions and models will disappear (no „Bretonnians“).

Matched Play and Tournaments

Matched Play section will be updated annually (along the lines of Age of Sigmar General’s Handbook), including adjustment of point values.

New Edition was playtested by external playtesters (e.g. Frontline Gaming, etc..) as well as internal playtesters.

There are no specific tournament rules over and beyond „Matched Play Rules“ (but guidelines/recommendations to help tournament/event organisers).

Story & Other Things

New faction(s) coming, including at least one at launch.

A design goal to position Chaos more fully as the main antagonist.

White Scars still exist (despite being absent from the new map).

Codex Refund

If you bought a Warhammer 40K Codex or rulebook within 8 weeks of last Saturday’s announcement of the new edition, you can contact Games Workshop customer service for a voucher.